Blue passports to return, print contract still TBC

UK passports will revert to the navy blue colour first introduced almost a century ago as part of the changes around Brexit.

New-look, old-style blue passport

Passports have been the burgundy colour agreed by EU members for almost 30 years.

An announcement from HM Passport Office today (22 December) confirmed that as the travel document will no longer be required to conform to EU standards, it would revert to dark blue with gold embossing from October 2019.

“In a move to symbolise our national identity, the cover will be changing from the standard EU burgundy colour to a blue and gold design,” the Passport Office stated.

A Passport Office spokesman confirmed to PrintWeek that some of the paper aspects of current passports are produced in Malta, “but all the personalisation and security features are done in the UK.”

In a series of tweets, Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke demanded the contract remained in the UK, describing the government as "barmy enough to do or say anything".

We had this before & we mounted a campaign to make sure the work stayed in UK. Problem is that the Government is barmy enough to do or say anything. An EDM is going in for first week back demanding the work is done in UK backing world class UK printers. https://t.co/zeKGLEbEwb

The Passport Office announcement also revealed that the new blue passport will feature a variety of enhanced security elements.

The picture page will be made of a “super-strength polycarbonate material”, rather than the existing paper, making it more difficult to alter.

The blue passports will be phased in gradually, with the burgundy passport continuing to be issued for an unspecified period, but with references to the European Union removed.

Lewis stated: “Leaving the EU gives us a unique opportunity to restore our national identity and forge a new path for ourselves in the world.

“That is why I am delighted to announce that the British passport will be returning to the iconic blue and gold design after we have left the European Union in 2019.”

Brexiteers had campaigned vociferously for a return to the blue passport. During his Today interview, Lewis said: “I know people on both sides of the referendum debate who liked the blue passport. For many people it’s an iconic blue.”

It is coincidental that the UK’s exit from the EU will take place at the same time as the new passport contract comes into effect.